Ed Oliver was back on the field for the Bills on Thursday, a welcome step after he sat out practice earlier in the week to rest a hip injury while Buffalo gets ready for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Oliver’s return is a significant development for a Bills defense that can use every healthy body it can get. He had been listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s injury report after his ailment showed up during warmups before the team’s 31-21 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 15. Oliver was able to get in another practice on Thursday, and he’ll have one more chance to work before Buffalo heads into Sunday’s game at Highmark Stadium against the Chargers.
Buffalo’s secondary also got some help, with Jordan Poyer upgraded from limited participation Wednesday to a non-participant Thursday. Poyer missed practice because of his ankle injury, and his status remains something to watch.
There was also movement on the other side of the ball for the Bills’ opponent. DJ Moore did not practice Thursday for the Chargers after being a limited participant Wednesday. Moore is considered day to day with a shoulder injury, and his availability for Sunday is still up in the air.
The Bills, meanwhile, still have to sort through a few other names on the injury report. Defensive tackle T.J.
Sanders returned to the team Thursday following his appendix procedure, but he missed practice again and it remains unlikely he’ll be ready to play Sunday. If Sanders and Oliver sit, Buffalo would be leaning on DeWayne Carter and Landon Jackson for depth.
For Buffalo, getting Oliver back on the practice field is the kind of small-but-important checkpoint teams look for late in the week. The bigger question now is whether he can keep trending the right way and suit up against a Chargers team that could be without one of its top pass catchers.
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Bills Face A Ground Game Test Fans May Not Expect
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Bills-Chargers History Is Full Of Buffalos Best And Worst Memories
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Still, the larger series has tilted the other way, with the Chargers holding a 25-14-2 lead overall, and the games between these teams have produced a few unforgettable oddities along the way. There was the 2008 delay at Orchard Park caused by a power outage, and the 2017 meeting that turned into a nightmare for rookie Nathan Peterman, reminders that this one has never really been short on either drama or pain for Buffalo fans. [Read more 🡒]